For over 50 years, Legal Aid Chicago has provided free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in metropolitan Chicago. Each year our attorneys, volunteers, and staff help resolve civil legal problems, including domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. Legal Aid Chicago was founded on the philosophy that all individuals are entitled to quality civil legal representation, regardless of their income. We work to ensure that poverty is not an impediment to justice.
Legal Aid Chicago offers a hybrid work environment. Our office, located in downtown Chicago at 120 S. LaSalle Street, is ADA accessible and has convenient access to public transportation and local expressways. This position may require travel to court or other outreach events.
Position: Legal Aid Chicago is seeking a full-time staff attorney with a primary focus on criminal records relief.
Responsibilities:
-Provide comprehensive legal representation to clients in criminal records relief matters at every step in the expungement/sealing process.
-Support volunteer attorneys in providing representation in criminal records relief and other subject matters, as necessary.
-Maintain knowledge in other areas of law handled by Legal Aid Chicago to ensure that clients’ legal needs are identified and met.
-Work collaboratively with Legal Aid Chicago supervisors, staff, students and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services.
-Attend and assist with the operation of expungement legal clinics (virtual and in-person), including the supervision of volunteer attorneys.
-Participate in complex litigation or advocacy to address systemic issues.
-Develop and participate in trainings to agencies, advocates, clients, or community groups about criminal records relief.
-Establish and maintain relationships with community organizations that provide services to individuals with criminal records.
-Track data related to pro bono work and assist on related reporting.
-Design and deliver effective training to pro bono partners.
-Maintain case files and timekeeping in electronic case management system.
-Participate in other activities related to poverty law including publication, permissible legislative and administrative advocacy, media relations, and fundraising.
-Assist with grant reporting, as appropriate and applicable.
-Other duties as assigned.
Salary and Benefits:
This position is part of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. The Collective Bargaining Agreement sets employment terms and compensation is determined by the CBA salary scale, based on paid experience.
The budgeted salary range for this position is $68,072-$76,300, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited experience.
Legal Aid Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
-Bilingual Staff Attorneys are eligible for an additional stipend
-Medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first day of employment
-Time Off: 15 vacation days and 18 sick days accrued within the first year of employment
-19 paid holidays, including four (4) floating holidays
-Twelve weeks of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of the salary after six months of employment
-403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution after one year of employment
-$50,000 Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, at no cost
-Access to Employee Assistance Program resources, at no cost
-Monthly internet reimbursement
-Legal Aid Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is an eligible employer for the federal public service loan forgiveness program
Legal Aid Chicago encourages applications from individuals with relevant experience, particularly those who have direct experience with communities we serve or perspectives that help us understand and serve our clients better.
-Applicants must have a J.D. degree and be licensed to practice law in Illinois or be licensed in another state and able to waive into the Illinois bar, with a preference given to those currently licensed to practice in Illinois.
-Experience in criminal records relief is preferred.
-Applicants must have strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and great client counseling skills.
-Enthusiasm for working with volunteers and confidence in speaking to groups of professionals necessary.
-The applicant’s personal background, experience, or professional background should reflect an ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers and the community we serve.
-The successful applicant will be collegial and demonstrate a commitment to and experience with our client communities and/or people living in poverty, and applicants are encouraged to share that experience in their cover letter.
-The ideal candidate will have strong client counseling skills and be someone who genuinely enjoys interacting with clients.
To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and the contact information of two primary professional references and one alternative professional reference. For applicants with previous work experience, at least one reference must be a former supervisor. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled. Apply at https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Apply/3105182/Legal-Aid...
Legal Aid Chicago is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and therefore does not discriminate on the basis of creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status, ex-offender status, family responsibilities, reproductive health decisions or any other protected status.
If an accommodation is needed to complete this application, contact Human Resources at [email protected].
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding an application status. We will contact candidates who are selected for the next stage of the hiring process.
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